Nicolas Cage Then and Now

Nicolas Cage Then

Nicolas Cage, originally named Nicolas Kim Coppola, was born on January 7, 1964, in Long Beach, California.

His parents were Joy Vogelsang, a choreographer, and August Coppola, a literature professor. 

Growing up, Cage was part of a creative family, which included his two older brothers, Marc and Christopher. 

Notably, his family had strong connections in the film industry; his uncle is the acclaimed film director Francis Ford Coppola. 

As a child, Nicolas frequently visited his uncle’s home in San Francisco, where he was exposed to the world of filmmaking. This environment undoubtedly influenced his future career in acting. 

His cousin, Sofia Coppola, who is Francis Ford Coppola’s daughter, also became a prominent movie director, further highlighting the family’s deep ties to the cinematic arts.

Cage’s passion for acting ignited at the age of 15 during a summer class at the American Conservatory Theatre in San Francisco. 

This formative experience convinced him to pursue acting seriously. 

He made a bold decision to drop out of Beverly Hills High School to chase his dream of becoming an actor. 

Cage’s career began with a television debut in 1981, which marked the start of his journey in the entertainment industry. 

Recognizing the potential challenges and biases that might come with his famous surname, Nicolas chose to change his last name to Cage. 

This decision was also a tribute to his admiration for the comic-book superhero Luke Cage, symbolizing his desire to forge his own path and establish a unique identity distinct from his well-known uncle. 

Nicolas Cage’s name change and early career choices reflect his determination to succeed on his own merits. 

Over the years, he has built a diverse and prolific career in Hollywood, known for his versatility and dedication to his craft. 

Despite his family’s significant influence and legacy in the film industry, Cage’s efforts to distinguish himself have led to a remarkable and independent acting career.

Nicolas Cage’s Acting Career

Nicolas Cage’s career began with roles in teenage comedies, making his debut in the 1982 film Fast Times at Ridgemont High, where he appeared alongside Sean Penn. 

He quickly moved on to a leading role as a punk rocker in Valley Girl (1983). His uncle, Francis Ford Coppola, also gave him a small part in the critically acclaimed Rumble Fish (1983). 

Cage’s first serious dramatic role came with Birdy (1984), where he starred opposite Matthew Modine. 

He continued to collaborate with his uncle in Peggy Sue Got Married (1986) and demonstrated his comedic talents in the Coen Brothers’ Raising Arizona (1987). 

His performance in Moonstruck (1987), starring alongside Cher, and his roles in David Lynch’s Wild at Heart (1990) and the comedies Vampire’s Kiss (1992) and Honeymoon in Vegas (1992) further showcased his versatility as an actor.

Despite experiencing a series of less successful films in the early 1990s, Cage’s career took a significant turn with his Oscar-winning performance in Leaving Las Vegas (1995), where he played a self-destructive alcoholic writer. 

This role earned him critical acclaim and revitalized his career. 

Following this, Cage starred in a string of high-budget, action-packed films that were box office hits, including The Rock (1996) with Sean Connery, Con Air (1997) with John Cusack, and Face/Off (1997) with John Travolta. 

Other notable action films during this period include Gone in 60 Seconds (2000), Windtalkers (2002), and the popular National Treasure series (2004, 2007), in which he played a treasure hunter.

In 2002, Cage received another Academy Award nomination for his dual role in Spike Jonze’s Adaptation, where he portrayed twin brothers Charlie and Donald Kaufman. 

That same year, he made his directorial debut with Sonny, a film he also produced. 

He continued to take on diverse roles, such as a firefighter in Oliver Stone’s World Trade Center (2006) and an astrophysicist in the sci-fi thriller Knowing (2009). 

In Werner Herzog’s Bad Lieutenant: Port of Call New Orleans (2009), Cage played a police detective with drug and gambling addictions.

Throughout his career, Cage has been known for his prolific output, sometimes starring in more than five films a year. 

While some of his work went straight to video, he continued to take on varied and interesting roles. 

He appeared in the action comedy Kick-Ass (2010), the supernatural action film Ghost Rider (2007), and its sequel, Ghost Rider: Spirit of Vengeance (2011). 

His performance in Joe (2013) was particularly acclaimed, showcasing his ability to deliver a more subdued and powerful performance. 

Cage continued to take on diverse roles, such as an airline pilot in Left Behind (2014) and a former intelligence officer in Oliver Stone’s Snowden (2016).

In 2021, Cage drew praise for his role in Pig, where he portrayed a truffle hunter searching for his stolen pig. 

He followed this with The Unbearable Weight of Massive Talent (2022), an action comedy in which he played a version of himself, referencing many of his past movies. 

Cage also lent his voice to animated films such as The Croods (2013), Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse (2018), and The Croods: A New Age (2020).

Beyond his acting career, Cage was named Global Citizen of the Year by the United Nations in 2009 for his humanitarian efforts, particularly his work in creating a fund for former child soldiers. 

This accolade highlights his commitment to social causes and global humanitarian work.

Nicolas Cage Movies

• Fast Times at Ridgemont High (1982)
• Valley Girl, Rumble Fish (1983)
• Racing with the Moon, The Cotton Club, Birdy (1984)
• The Boy in Blue, Peggy Sue Got Married (1986)
• Raising Arizona, Moonstruck (1987)
• Vampire’s Kiss (1988)
• Never on Tuesday (1989)
• Fire Birds, Wild at Heart (1990)
• Zandalee (1991)
• Honeymoon in Vegas, Amos & Andrew (1992)
• Red Rock West, Deadfall, Guarding Tess, It Could Happen to You (1993)
• Trapped in Paradise (1994)
• Kiss of Death, Leaving Las Vegas (1995)
• The Rock (1996)
• Con Air, Face/Off (1997)
• City of Angels, Snake Eyes (1998)
• 8mm, Bringing Out the Dead (1999)
• Gone in 60 Seconds, The Family Man (2000)
• Captain Corelli’s Mandolin, Christmas Carol: The Movie (2001)
• Windtalkers, Sonny, Adaptation (2002)
• Matchstick Men (2003)
• National Treasure (2004)
• Lord of War, The Weather Man (2005)
• The Ant Bully, World Trade Center, The Wicker Man (2006)
• Ghost Rider, Grindhouse (segment “Werewolf Women of the SS”), Next, National Treasure: Book of Secrets (2007)
• Bangkok Dangerous (2008)
• Knowing, Bad Lieutenant: Port of Call New Orleans, Astro Boy, G-Force (2009)
• Kick-Ass, The Sorcerer’s Apprentice, Season of the Witch (2010)
• Drive Angry, Seeking Justice, Trespass, Ghost Rider: Spirit of Vengeance (2011)
• Stolen (2012)
• The Croods, The Frozen Ground, Joe (2013)
• Rage, Left Behind, Dying of the Light, Outcast (2014)
• The Runner, Pay the Ghost, The Trust (2015)
• USS Indianapolis: Men of Courage, Dog Eat Dog, Snowden (2016)
• Arsenal, Vengeance: A Love Story, Inconceivable, Mom and Dad (2017)
• Looking Glass, Teen Titans Go! To the Movies, Mandy, 211 (2018)
• Between Worlds, A Score to Settle, Running with the Devil, Kill Chain, Primal, Grand Isle, Color Out of Space (2019)
• Jiu Jitsu, The Croods: A New Age (2020)
• Willy’s Wonderland, Prisoners of the Ghostland, Pig (2021)
• The Unbearable Weight of Massive Talent, Butcher’s Crossing (2022)
• Renfield (2023)
• Dream Scenario (2023)
• The Retirement Plan (2023)
• Sympathy for the Devil (2023)
• The Old Way (2023)
• Arcadian (2024)
• The Surfer (2024)
• Longlegs (2024) Upcoming

Nicolas Cage’s Wife and Children

Nicolas Cage’s personal life has been marked by a series of high-profile relationships and marriages. 

His relationship with model Kristina Fulton lasted several years and resulted in the birth of their son, Weston Coppola Cage, in 1992. 

This relationship was one of Cage’s longer-lasting, preceding his multiple marriages.

In 1995, Cage married actress Patricia Arquette. This union garnered significant media attention due to both actors’ prominence in Hollywood. 

However, their marriage faced challenges, and they eventually divorced in 2001 after six years together. 

Cage’s subsequent marriage to Lisa Marie Presley, the only daughter of the legendary Elvis Presley, was even shorter. 

They wed in August 2002, but their marriage was brief and tumultuous, leading to their separation just 108 days later. Their divorce was finalized in 2004.

Later that same year, in August 2004, Cage married Alice Kim, a 20-year-old waitress. 

The couple’s wedding took place at a private ranch in Northern California, reflecting Cage’s preference for relatively low-key personal celebrations despite his celebrity status. 

They had a son, Kal-el Coppola Cage, born on October 3, 2005. This marriage was one of Cage’s longest, lasting 12 years before they announced their separation in 2016.

In March 2019, Cage’s marital life took another dramatic turn when he married makeup artist Erika Koike in a quick Las Vegas ceremony. 

The marriage was short-lived, as Cage filed for an annulment just four days later, highlighting the volatility that sometimes characterized his personal relationships.

Cage’s most recent marriage began in February 2021, when he wed Riko Shibata. 

This relationship appears to be more stable and fruitful, as the couple welcomed a daughter named August in September 2022. 

This marks a new chapter in Cage’s personal life, balancing his career with the joys and responsibilities of fatherhood once again.

Nicolas Cage Now

Nicolas Cage, at the age of 60, stands as a seasoned figure in the realm of American cinema. 

Known for his eclectic range of roles and distinct on-screen presence, Cage has cemented himself as a versatile actor capable of tackling various genres with depth and intensity. 

Throughout his illustrious career, he has garnered widespread recognition and numerous awards, including an Academy Award, a Screen Actors Guild Award, and a Golden Globe Award, solidifying his status as one of Hollywood’s most esteemed talents.

In his most recent endeavor, the movie “Longlegs,” slated for release on July 12, 2024, Cage continues to demonstrate his enduring passion for the craft of acting. 

With each new project, he brings a unique energy and commitment to his roles, captivating audiences and critics alike with his captivating performances.

Despite his illustrious career and accolades, Cage’s personal life has also been subject to public scrutiny, including his financial ups and downs. 

While he boasts a net worth of $25 million, Cage’s financial journey has seen fluctuations, with his wealth peaking at well over $100 million at one point. 

This substantial fortune primarily stemmed from his lucrative movie salaries, which reportedly exceeded $200 million over the years.

As Cage navigates the complexities of fame and fortune, his enduring dedication to his craft and his ability to continually reinvent himself on-screen serve as a testament to his enduring talent and resilience in the ever-evolving landscape of Hollywood. 

With each passing year, Cage continues to leave an indelible mark on cinema, solidifying his legacy as an icon of the silver screen.

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